Chapter 77: Building a Wooden House

"Here's the situation: In two days, the palace will host a banquet. Will you be able to attend?" Kimia asked over the phone.

"A banquet? What kind of banquet?" Andrew asked, confused.

Kimia explained, "We are collaborating with a research team from the Pardea region. They recently came here to exchange research, so my father decided to hold a banquet to welcome them. Since you haven't appeared at any formal events since you woke up, my father would like to invite you if you're available."

Andrew thought it would be good to make an appearance, so he agreed. "Alright, what time is the banquet?"

Kimia responded cheerfully, "It starts at 7:00 PM. Just come before it begins."

"Got it. I'll be there on time," Andrew said.

"See you then."

"See you."

After ending the call with Kimia, Andrew took Drizzile and the others back to the Nebel Plateau.

Since the riverside had already been cleared, it was time for the Pokémon to plant trees for Andrew in the afternoon.

After lunch, Andrew and the Pokémon went to the riverside. The two Farfetch'd that had recently joined the Nebel Plateau also showed up, each carrying the small shovels Andrew had given them, looking quite pleased.

With the experience from their previous planting sessions, the Pokémons didn't need much guidance from Andrew this time. They quickly got to work: some dug holes, others fertilized... The two Farfetch'd wielded their shovels with skill.

Andrew retrieved the saplings he had bought earlier from the system's backpack.

Unfortunately, due to a shortage of Happiness Points, Andrew could only afford a portion of the saplings for now. The daily Happiness Points he earned were only enough to buy the saplings needed for that day's planting, so he couldn't purchase all at once.

Though he could have bought saplings from outside, he preferred not to settle for those, as he believed the ones from the system's store would be better, even though his Pokédollars was sufficient.

He decided to take his time; there was no rush.

He estimated the riverside area and figured that once all the trees were planted, winter would nearly be over.

Andrew's first batch of saplings included Pecha Berries and Asprear Berries, with 200 of each type. Due to the limited riverside area and his desire to plant various types of trees, he chose not to plant too many of each kind.

Pecha and Aspear Berries are common, and the saplings were reasonably priced at 15 Happiness Points each in the system's store.

Berry saplings were more expensive than regular fruit tree saplings.

After handing the saplings over to the Pokémon, Andrew called out to Diancie, "Diancie, I'm leaving this to you. I have other things to do, so I'm heading back now!"

Diancie waved and nodded from a distance to show it understood. Andrew then turned to leave.

"Munchlax~"

The little Munchlax, noticing its master was about to leave, quickly discarded the dirt it was holding, clapped its hands, and ran over to Andrew.

"Are you coming home with me?" Andrew asked with a smile.

"Munch~ Munch~" Munchlax nodded, eager to stay with its master.

"Alright, let's go together," Andrew said affectionately, rubbing its head.

(≧≦) Munchlax closed its eyes in contentment, enjoying the affection.

Drizzile, who was with the Water-type Pokémon, saw Andrew and Munchlax leaving and quickly followed, shouting:

"Drizz~ Drizzile~" Wait for me! Wait for me!

Hearing the call, Andrew and Munchlax paused and waited for Drizzile to catch up.

Once the three of them returned home, Andrew took them to the Secret Fortress and found the garbage disposal area inside.

It turned out there was a small compartment below the fifth level of the Secret Fortress designated for garbage disposal. If Andrew hadn't asked Diancie, he would not have known about it.

Diancie hadn't mentioned it before because it found the place rather unappealing.

All the waste produced in the Nebel Plateau was directed here, where it was decomposed into non-polluting substances and then added to the plateau's soil, including the Pokémon's waste.

The main ingredient Andrew needed for fertilizer was Pokémon waste.

While other materials could be purchased, Pokémon waste was not something Andrew could buy.

In the garbage disposal area, Andrew saw several large furnace-like machines. Different types of waste were placed into different furnaces for decomposition.

The Pokémon waste was placed in the central furnace.

"Munchlax~"

"Drizzile~"

When Munchlax and Drizzile realized that the central furnace contained waste, they immediately recoiled with disgust, despite the furnace being sealed with no smell escaping.

Andrew quickly located the control panel for the garbage disposal area and turned off the decomposition setting for the central furnace, so the Pokémon waste wouldn't be processed directly anymore.

From now on, Andrew would only need to add other materials to the furnace to ferment with the waste, producing special fertilizer.

After adjusting the settings, Andrew turned to his two companions and said:

"Alright, let's head out."

Upon hearing this, the two Pokémon were eager to leave the garbage disposal area with Andrew.

Once they reached the surface, Andrew dialed Flamel's number.

"Hello, Your Highness. What's up?" Flamel's voice came through the phone.

"Flamel, I need to order some materials," Andrew said.

Andrew intended to use Pokédollars to purchase the materials for making fertilizer from external sources, as he was running low on Happiness Points.

"Just let me know what you need, and I'll make the arrangements," Flamel replied.

Andrew listed the materials he required.

After noting down Andrew's requests, Flamel said, "It looks like you're asking for materials related to fertilizers and crops."

Andrew admired her knowledge, "You even know about this?"

Flamel responded, "Actually, my parents were farmers, and I used to work on the farm when I was younger."

Andrew suddenly understood, "That makes sense."

Flamel thought for a moment and said, "I'll contact a farm owner from my hometown. He should have everything you need."

Andrew thanked her, "I really appreciate it."

Flamel replied, "No problem at all."

With that settled, Andrew was in high spirits and said to Munchlax and Drizzile, "Let's get to work."

"Munch~ Munch~" Work? What kind of work?

Munchlax looked puzzled.

Drizzile also looked at Andrew with confusion.

Andrew called over Robert No. 1 and led his two apprentices to the warehouse, where they found a stack of wood neatly piled in a corner.

"Munch~ Munch~" What are we doing here? Munchlax asked.

Andrew explained, "I'm planning to build houses for the Gogoat and Skiddo, so we need to turn this wood into planks first."

The Gogoat and Skiddo didn't live in the Secret Fortress. Andrew had invited them, but they declined because they preferred living outdoors, closer to nature, rather than underground.

Recently, Andrew had considered raising some cows and sheep, which gave him the idea to build a cowshed and sheep pen. Then he thought, why not build wooden houses for the Gogoat and Skiddo on the surface?

He had accumulated a lot of wood while clearing the riverbank, so why not use it to build the houses?

After discussing it with the Gogoat and Skiddo, they agreed, as long as the houses were on the grass.

They envied the other Pokémon for having shelters from the elements.

After sharing his plan with Munchlax and Drizzile, they were eager to help.

Andrew then turned to Robert No. 1 and said, "Robert No. 1, could you help cut this wood into planks like this?" He handed him the blueprint he had prepared.

Although Andrew had studied the process of building wooden houses, he still needed Robert No. 1's assistance for the actual work.

Robert No. 1 took the blueprint, his eyes glowing blue as he scanned the design into his memory, then looked at Andrew and said, "No~ problem!"

Immediately, Andrew saw Robert No. 1's hand retract into his wrist, replaced by a chainsaw and a knife.

Soon, one plank after another was cut by Robert No. 1, while Andrew, Munchlax, and Drizzile helped with other tasks.

Fortunately, Robert No. 1 was there. Without him, Andrew, Munchlax, and Drizzile would have been at a loss.

By the afternoon, they had processed all sorts of planks, which were stacked neatly in the warehouse corner.

Seeing it was getting late, Andrew said to Munchlax and Drizzile, "That's enough for today. Let's go home and cook; it's getting late."

"Munch~"

"Drizz~"

The two Pokémon agreed and followed Andrew back.

Andrew patted Drizzile and said, "You both worked hard today."

"Munch~ Munch~" It wasn't hard. I enjoy working with you, Master.

Munchlax smiled widely.

"Drizz~ Drizz~" I'm strong, so I'm not afraid of hard work!

Drizzile gave a thumbs-up in self-praise.

Andrew then turned to Robert No. 1 and said, "You worked hard too."

However, Robert No. 1 simply stared blankly at Andrew with his big eyes.

As expected from a hunk of metal… Andrew shook his head in resignation.

After leaving the warehouse, Andrew and his Pokémon went home to cook dinner. By the time they were finished, the tree-planting Pokémon had returned, and they enjoyed a pleasant meal together.

During dinner, as they sat around the table, Andrew suddenly said, "By the way, the palace has invited me to a banquet in two days. Do you want to come along?"

"Munch~" Banquet? What's that?

Munchlax swallowed a bite of food and asked curiously.

"Drizz~ Drizz~" I know! I know!

Drizzile eagerly raised its hand.

Andrew smiled and said, "Alright then, let's have Drizzile explain what a banquet is."

Drizzile was thrilled. It stood on the chair, cleared its throat, and explained seriously, "Drizz~ Drizz~ Drizz~" A banquet is an evening event with many people and lots of delicious food…

Munchlax, always focused on food, perked up its ears at the mention of "lots of delicious food" and tugged at Andrew.

"Munch~ Munch~" Really, lots of delicious food?

Andrew hesitated briefly, then nodded, "Yes, there will be a lot…" Munchlax's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Munch~ Munch~" Master, I want to go, take me with you!

Andrew pinched its cheek and said warmly, "Alright, I'll take you."

Munchlax beamed with joy.

"Drizz~ Drizz~" I want to go too! I want to go too!

Drizzile quickly chimed in.

Andrew looked at Diancie and asked, "Diancie, what about you?"

Diancie replied, "If everyone else is going, then I'll go too!"

Andrew said, "Great, we'll all go together."

"Drizz~" Hooray!

Drizzile cheered.

The Komala's silence was taken as agreement.

The next day, after lunch, Andrew said to Diancie and the others, "Since we're going to a banquet, shouldn't we get some outfits?"

Previously, Andrew bought his clothes directly from the system store, but money was tight recently, so he decided to shop in Azoth Royal City.

"Munch~" Outfits?

Munchlax tilted its head in confusion.

"It means nice clothes," Andrew explained.

Munchlax then understood, "Munch~" Do I need to wear something too?

Andrew replied, "If you want to, of course!"

"Munch~ Munch~" Then I want to wear the same outfit as you, Master.

Munchlax said excitedly.

Andrew patted its head and said, "Alright, we'll get the same ones."

Hearing this, Drizzile immediately protested, "Drizz~ Drizz~" I want the same too! I want the same too!

Andrew quickly said, "You'll have one too, and so will Diancie and Komala."

Drizzile was satisfied, and Diancie smiled.

"Alright, let's pack up and head out. We still have work to do when we get back," Andrew said.

"Munch~"

"Drizz~"

Munchlax and Drizzile cheered and quickly ran upstairs, while Diancie stayed behind to help Andrew clean up the dishes.

After packing up, Andrew and his five Pokémon headed to Azoth Royal City through the space portal. It was the first time they had all gone out together.

After stepping out of Munchlax's House, Diancie asked, "Where are we going to buy clothes?"

Andrew pulled out his phone and said, "Let me check!" He began searching for information online.

"Got it! We'll go to this place!" After a while, Andrew showed the location he found to Diancie. "It's a reputable brand store specializing in formal wear. Let's go there."

Diancie glanced at the screen, but since she didn't know much about clothes, she left the decision to Andrew. "Alright, let's go."

"Munch~ Munch~" Let me see, let me see!

"Drizz~ Drizz~" Me too!

Munchlax and Drizzile crowded around.

Andrew lowered the phone for them to see, but they didn't really understand what they were looking at.

(End of Chapter)